Kansas voters keep abortion legal; inflation hits back-to-school shopping

Plus, Republican primaries see a rise in extreme language on immigration [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up [Kansas state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an abortion rights supporter who was a Republican and is now a Democrat, reacts as a referendum to strip abortion rights out of the state constitution fails.]( Danielle Kurtzleben/NPR Here's what we're following today: Results are coming in for the first few primaries in what will be a busy month of elections: ➡️ In Kansas, voters rejected an amendment to the state constitution that would have [taken away the right to an abortion](. It's the first vote on abortion rights to take place since the fall of Roe. ➡️ It was a good night for Trump-backed candidates, with wins for [Tudor Dixon]( and [John Gibbs]( in Michigan, as well as [Blake Masters]( and [Mark Finchem]( in Arizona. Inflation is top of mind for parents shopping for the back-to-school season. A survey shows families are [cutting back on travel]( dipping into savings and reusing supplies in order to [afford school necessities](. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres says "humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation." [Global politics is under great stress]( from the climate crisis, the COVID pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and more, while countries are growing and modernizing their nuclear arsenals. In a meeting with Taiwanese leaders, Nancy Pelosi said the U.S. [will not abandon its commitment]( to the self-governing island. Her visit sparked stark warnings from China; the White House worried that it could [trigger a crisis in the Taiwan Strait]( and worsen already tense U.S.-China relations. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture show [The former UniEnergy Technologies office in Mukilteo, Wash. Taxpayers spent $15 million on research to build a breakthrough battery. Then the U.S. government gave it to China.]( Jovelle Tamayo for NPR Ten years ago, a group of engineers at a warehouse in Mukilteo, Wash., thought they had developed the next American success story: a [breakthrough battery]( that held enough energy to power a house and could be used for decades. But the U.S gave the technology to China, and the warehouse stands empty today. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen [Blake Masters, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, speaks to supporters during a campaign event in Tucson.]( Brandon Bell/Getty Images Immigration has stood out as one of the top issues Republican candidates are addressing during the primaries, and their messaging has become increasingly extreme. 🎧 Listen to [why activists fear Republican usage of the word "invasion" can stoke fear and hate]( or [read the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Malaka Gharib/ NPR - As the world faces unprecedented heat waves, many are asking: How do you stay cool without air conditioning? India and other countries across the Global South have long figured it out, and [here are their biggest tips](. - The Senate has confirmed Lt. Gen. Michael Langley to be the [first Black four-star general in the Marines' 246-year history](. He will lead all U.S. military forces in Africa as chief of U.S. Africa Command. - Jewish musician Jeremiah Lockwood and his band The Sway Machinery are on a mission to reintroduce the world to [cantorial music](. - Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully has died at 94. His distinctive voice and [talent for making a personal connection]( with listeners made him as synonymous with the Dodgers as any player, manager or team official. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]